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In reply to the discussion: Breaking: Obama will not meet with Netanyahu during trip to Washington. [View all]Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)24. ^^^^^Number one unanswered question........^^^^^^ looks like things have changed.....
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-to-couple-congressional-address-with-appearance-at-AIPAC-parley-in-March-388636
Israel election is March 17.
"US President Barack Obama will not receive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March at the White House, his administration said on Thursday, due to the proximity of his visit to Israel's elections.
"As a matter of long-standing practice and principle, we do not see heads of state or candidates in close proximity to their elections, so as to avoid the appearance of influencing a democratic election in a foreign country," Bernadette Meehan, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in an e-mail.
Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress during his visit, at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), on Israel's position on negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
The Israeli prime minister has publicly advocated for increasing pressure on Iran during the negotiations, and is expected to support a bill under consideration in the Congress that would trigger new sanctions on Iran should the talks fail.
"The president has been clear about his opposition to Congress passing new legislation on Iran that could undermine our negotiations and divide the international community," Meehan added. "The president has had many conversations with the Prime Minister on this matter, and I am sure they will continue to be in contact on this and other important matters.
Shortly after the White House announcement, the State Department also cited the proximity to Israel's elections for the reason that US Secretary of State John Kerry will not meet with Netanyahu during the Washington visit.
++++++++++++
Netanyahu on Thursday formally accepted an invitation to address the Congress, but will do so as a part of a trip to Washington in early March to attend the AIPAC conference, and not as part of a special trip to DC just for that occasion in mid-February.
++++++++++++
The invitation to Netanyahu in the name of the bipartisan leadership of the House of Representatives and Senate caused a kerfuffle, with some Netanyahu critics saying the Republicans were meddling in Israel's elections, and others that Boehner was using Netanyahu to wage a battle with Obama over Iran sanctions.
The White House said it was surprised that it was not informed in advance either by Boehner or Israeli officials of the visit, and that this was a breach of protocol.
In an apparent effort to rectify the situation, on Wednesday evening, after Boehner confirmed the speech to Congress could be moved from February 11 to March 3, Israel contacted the White House to inform it of the change of plans.
The statement put out by the PMO announcing Netanyahu's formal acceptance of the invitation, and the change of date, stressed that in his speeches both to Congress and AIPAC the Prime Minister would thank President Obama, Congress and the American people for their support of Israel.
Israel election is March 17.
"US President Barack Obama will not receive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March at the White House, his administration said on Thursday, due to the proximity of his visit to Israel's elections.
"As a matter of long-standing practice and principle, we do not see heads of state or candidates in close proximity to their elections, so as to avoid the appearance of influencing a democratic election in a foreign country," Bernadette Meehan, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in an e-mail.
Netanyahu will address a joint session of Congress during his visit, at the invitation of House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), on Israel's position on negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
The Israeli prime minister has publicly advocated for increasing pressure on Iran during the negotiations, and is expected to support a bill under consideration in the Congress that would trigger new sanctions on Iran should the talks fail.
"The president has been clear about his opposition to Congress passing new legislation on Iran that could undermine our negotiations and divide the international community," Meehan added. "The president has had many conversations with the Prime Minister on this matter, and I am sure they will continue to be in contact on this and other important matters.
Shortly after the White House announcement, the State Department also cited the proximity to Israel's elections for the reason that US Secretary of State John Kerry will not meet with Netanyahu during the Washington visit.
++++++++++++
Netanyahu on Thursday formally accepted an invitation to address the Congress, but will do so as a part of a trip to Washington in early March to attend the AIPAC conference, and not as part of a special trip to DC just for that occasion in mid-February.
++++++++++++
The invitation to Netanyahu in the name of the bipartisan leadership of the House of Representatives and Senate caused a kerfuffle, with some Netanyahu critics saying the Republicans were meddling in Israel's elections, and others that Boehner was using Netanyahu to wage a battle with Obama over Iran sanctions.
The White House said it was surprised that it was not informed in advance either by Boehner or Israeli officials of the visit, and that this was a breach of protocol.
In an apparent effort to rectify the situation, on Wednesday evening, after Boehner confirmed the speech to Congress could be moved from February 11 to March 3, Israel contacted the White House to inform it of the change of plans.
The statement put out by the PMO announcing Netanyahu's formal acceptance of the invitation, and the change of date, stressed that in his speeches both to Congress and AIPAC the Prime Minister would thank President Obama, Congress and the American people for their support of Israel.
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Breaking: Obama will not meet with Netanyahu during trip to Washington. [View all]
stevenleser
Jan 2015
OP
Good. We should also proclaim that we would 'not secure his visit' just as israel
Purveyor
Jan 2015
#1
I think there may be some coordination required, or is that also down the free form protocol drain?
Fred Sanders
Jan 2015
#21
Why should he? He's not been invited by the White House and is an enemy of Obama.
Comrade Grumpy
Jan 2015
#3
Because DU is plagued with anti-semites? Is that what you are coyly implying?
Comrade Grumpy
Jan 2015
#38
The GOP is trying to boost Bibi's election chances with the new March 3 date, obviously.
Fred Sanders
Jan 2015
#30
Yeah, we're too busy right now saving the world but have your people call my people
GOLGO 13
Jan 2015
#6
Massive Breaking News - Bibi Changes plans, Congress address on March 3, not Feb 11.
Fred Sanders
Jan 2015
#31
On that we can agree. Not that interfering with a foreign governments elections is not unknown to
Fred Sanders
Jan 2015
#33
All contrived by Republicans to stir up shit and forwarded by a Twitter age media.
Fred Sanders
Jan 2015
#16
I've been thinking about this since I posted the OP. The Republicans have a double motive here.
stevenleser
Jan 2015
#19
^^^^^Number one unanswered question........^^^^^^ looks like things have changed.....
Fred Sanders
Jan 2015
#24